The Measure of God’s Mercy

Psalm 69:16 NKJV

16 Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.

God’s Mercy Reaches Upward

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Ps. 103:11).

God’s mercy reaches upward, beyond man’s exploration of outer space. The rich and proud are included.

God’s reach extends so high, to those who seem to need no mercy

Presidents, kings, and generals—all those who humble themselves and accept Christ as Savior and Lord—may be saved.

Nebuchadnezzar received God’s Mercy - When he had humbled himself and repented

Daniel 4:34–37 NKJV

34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

Now, if Nebuchadnezzar could receive God’s mercy, and was in need of it, is there anyone so proud or strong that they do not need His mercy, or cannot receive it?

From Nebuchadnezzar to Manasseh to Saul of Tarsus, to you

The Scripture admonishes, “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 136:26).

Psalm 136:26 NKJV

26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.

God’s Mercy Reaches Downward

“Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 136:23).

God’s mercy is great and good. It reaches downward to the discouraged, distressed, and depressed.

Not only is God willing to show mercy to great and powerful people who seek Him, but also to the lowest sinner

His eyes search to and fro through the whole earth ....

from the woman caught in sin, to blind Bartimaeus , to the man with the legion, to you.

God’s mercy accepts all who forsake their sins with simple, trusting faith.

The same repentance that was required of Nebuchadnezzar was also required of the man with the legion, and the woman in sin.

God’s mercy reaches up to the proud and haughty and down to the lowest, setting them on the same level, when they become one in Christ.

God delights in showing His mercy - far more than in sacrifice and offerings

God’s Mercy Reaches Inward

“Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort.… Let thy tender mercies come unto me” (Ps. 119:76, 77).

God’s tender mercy reaches inward to the heart, mind, and soul, bringing comfort and contentment.

Many people need God’s mercy inside themselves - to help with Guilt, and sorrow, and regret

So many people are separated from God becasue they have not allowed His mercy to extend to themselves

God’s mercy feels with compassion and love. It cheers the bereaved and lonely and heals the brokenhearted.

God’s tender mercies reach inward, exchanging our sorrow for his joy. His stability replaces our frustration and changes our disappointments to his appointments (see Ps. 136:23, 24).

Psalm 136:23–24 NKJV

23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; 24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever;

God’s Mercy Reaches Outward

“The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes” (Ps. 119:64).

God’s mercy extends outward to the whole world. It reaches the great and small, black and white, rich and poor, old and young alike.

God has given us this example, that we should walk in it.

Many people fall short of God’s mercy, because they will not extend it outward to others

though they desire mercy themselves, they are not able to let go of their “right” to revenge, or justice, etc.

All who repent of their sins and believe in Christ may be saved at all times, in all places (see Eph. 2:4).

Ephesians 2:4–6 NKJV

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

“O give thanks unto the God of gods … for his mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 136:2, 3).

Psalm 136:2–3 NKJV

2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: